Dhaka – Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali left here for Turkey on Monday morning to attend the 13th Islamic Summit Conference being held in Istanbul.
The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has said leaders of the Islamic world are expected to make decisions and take practical measures aimed at developing joint Islamic action and advancing the OIC’s role in the regional and international arenas.This includes the adoption of the ‘OIC Programme of Action: 2016-2025’, which constitutes a strategic vision with specific priorities addressing: peace and security, terrorism and extremism, humanitarian work, human rights, development, poverty alleviation, eradication of epidemics, the rights of women, children and the family in the Islamic world, higher education, science and technology, and cultural exchange among OIC Member States, according to OIC Secretariat.
On top of the agenda to be discussed by the Istanbul Summit is the Palestinian cause.
The Summit is expected to issue a resolution on the matter, setting priorities of political action at international fora to defend the Palestinian rights and confirm the role and position of the OIC in support of Palestine at all levels.
It will also express support of international efforts to re-launch a collective political process, according to specific timetable, with a view to ending Israeli occupation.
The Summit will also discuss endorsing an international peace conference to end Israeli occupation, supporting the Ministerial Contact Group on Al-Quds Al-Sharif and adopting the Strategic Plan for the Development of Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
The Islamic Summit which will be held under the theme ‘Unity and Solidarity for Justice and Peace’ will also discuss the current situation in Syria, Yemen, Libya, Afghanistan, Somalia, Mali, Jammu and Kashmir, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Armenia’s aggressions on Azerbaijan, as well as other member states afflicted by conflicts and unstable security situations.
The Istanbul Summit will also consider the situation of Muslim communities in non-OIC member States and the issue of combating terrorism.
It will dedicate sessions to discuss the issues of sustainable development in Member States, promotion of scientific cooperation among OIC Member States in the areas of health, higher education and environment, promotion of cultural, social and media cooperation, the
humanitarian situation, poverty eradication and infrastructure development in member states.
The First Ladies of the OIC member states will hold a special session on the sidelines of the Islamic Summit on the theme ‘First Ladies’ Leadership on Cancer Control in OIC Member States’.
The Islamic Summit which will be preceded by a Foreign Ministers meeting will adopt a final communiqué and the Istanbul Declaration.
